Rights
A strong presidential republic under the 1995 Constitution
The Constitution adopted by referendum in November 1995 establishes a presidential system with extensive executive authority. Amendments in 2002, 2009 and 2016 lengthened the presidential term to seven years, removed term limits and created the office of First Vice-President.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — National. The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has its own constitution and assembly within the framework of the state constitution.
Governing law
- Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan 1995, as amended 2002, 2009 and 2016
- Law on the Constitutional Court (2003) — jurisdiction and complaint procedure
In practice
Executive power is concentrated in the President, who appoints the Cabinet of Ministers, nominates judges and can dissolve the National Assembly in defined circumstances. The 2009 referendum removed the two-term limit and the 2016 referendum extended the term from five to seven years and created the First Vice-President position. The Constitutional Court reviews legislation and hears individual complaints after exhaustion of ordinary remedies. Nakhchivan's autonomous status is constitutionally entrenched and gives it a separate legislature, though its laws must conform to national law.